In the footsteps of Palau

Fifth Day November 2

Footprints of Justice

We let these words of Father Palau echo within us:

“What is justice? A habit, according to which one gives with a firm and constant will to each one what is due.” CV 16,24

“To give each one what is due is justice. It has its companions: religion, prayer, piety, respect, obedience, gratitude, truthfulness, liberality, and as essential parts, commutative and distributive justice.” MM 10,2

Scripture Texts 

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” [Matt 5: 6]

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.  [Prov 4,18]

Reflection:

Justice was one of the pillars of the actions of Jesus. He was not indifferent to the injustices of his time, rather he was courageous and dedicated in pursuit of this justice often controlled by markets and policies of inequality. The “hunger and thirst for justice” of the Gospel text of Matthew is closely linked to the words of Palau, in which the premise of justice is to give each one what is due; this leaves us with an enormous task to carry out with absolute confidence. For further reflection: What do I do when I realize that I live in the midst of injustice?

We pray together:

“With the love with which the Father loves the Son, the Son loves us and with this same love we must reciprocate”. MM 2,2

  • Father of Mercies, who in your great love for humanity sent us your Son Jesus, helps us to live together as sisters and brothers, respecting life and taking care of our common home. We pray to the Lord.
  • Lord, we present to you our indigenous sisters and brothers, so that our societies may respect, recognize, value and accept cultural diversity, seeing it not as a threat but as wealth. We pray to the Lord.
  • May the dignity of each person, living image of the Church, be respected; and may there be commitment to the defense of defend human rights, in order to overcome all forms of injustice, violence and exploitation. We pray to the Lord.

Today we continue to pray for the communities and works of the St. Therese of the Child Jesus Province of Africa:  Antananarivo Madagascar Community and School Bienheureux Francois Palau, Fiaranantsoa Community. Notre Dame de L`Esperance, Bamako Malí Community. Saint Jean de la Croix, Sagabari Cdad. Saint Joseph, Bukavu Rep. Dem del Congo Noviciate Teresa Mira, Goma Community. Marie Mère de la I`Eglise, Postulantacy Saint Kizito Katindo, Complexe scolaire Teresa Mira, Health Centre Ntre Dame du Mont Carmel

Let us bring to our mind and heart: All those who suffer from natural disasters, all situations of violence, exploitations and mistreatment.

Música: 5. Un Grito se escucha

During this day of the novena, let us ask for the intercession of Francisco Palau, that we may be women and men who walk in synodality, and having experienced Justice in our lives, let it be that same justice that we proclaim day by day.

Father Palau Prayer

Almighty and merciful God and Father: we thank and bless you for instilling in the heart of Blessed Francisco Palau a singular love for the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, be revealing to him her beauty as illustrated in Mary, and inspiring him to serve her through prayer and apostolic activity. Grant us his prompt canonization in the Church and the special grace we are asking through his intercession. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.